Reds sign 136-game Super Rugby veteran after seven Brumbies seasons

The Queensland Reds have announced an important signing for the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season, with eight-Test Wallabies lock Cadeyrn Neville returning to Ballymore after finishing up with the ACT Brumbies.

Neville got a start at Super Rugby level with the Melbourne Rebels, playing more than 45 matches for the club from 2012 to 2015. The towering 2.02m second-rower then joined the Reds for the first time, making 16 appearances in the maroon strip.

But an opportunity with a third Australian Super Rugby outfit beckoned, with Neville later signing with the Brums. Neville got a run as a replacement against the Reds on January 31, 2020, which eventually led to Wallabies honours.

Neville featured in the run-on side 19 times over two seasons before adding another eight starts to that tally in 2022. Wallabies coach Dave Rennie called the then 31-year-old into the top squad that season, debuting against England in Perth.

The 136-game Super Rugby veteran adds immense experience and professionalism to the Reds pack for the 2027 campaign, with incoming coach Vern Cotter to lead the side after the departure of former Queensland boss Les Kiss.

“It’s pretty exciting to have another season coming up with a club which has had some great results and has a good group together,” Neville said.

“I’ve had a fair bit of experience playing against Vern’s Blues sides. I still enjoy being coached and improving so I’m looking forward to that experience.

“I’m motivated to play and I always enjoy competing. I get a lot of satisfaction out of preparing and that great contest on each weekend of the season when you want to win.”

Neville continued to play a leading role for the Brumbies during their most recent charge into the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs, named in the First XV nine times. That included a try-scoring 47-minute shift away to the NSW Waratahs in round 15.

The 37-year-old averaged more than 40 minutes of playing time per match and featured in the First XV in the Qualifying Final defeat to the Hurricanes. It was confirmed by the Brumbies last weekend that Neville would be leaving the club after the 2026 season.

“If anything, it’s knowing how to go about this job as a professional. It’s the preparation, the reviews, the recovery, the training and just knowing how to get the most out of myself so I maximise my offering to the team on weekends,” Neville added.

“One of the positives is I do already have relationships with a good number at the Reds. I roomed with Harry Wilson on a Barbarians tour in 2023, I’ve been in Wallabies camp with Fraser McReight and Lukhan (Salakaia-Loto) was a young fella starting out in 2016 when I first came to the Reds.

“I had (Reds assistant coach) Zane Hilton as a forwards coach back in my early days at the Rebels.”